Alumni News

CFL Greats and Sheridan Bruins Join Forces for Charity

April 25, 2011

They may have kept score but in the end the only tally that really mattered won't appear on a scoreboard, but rather on a cheque, as the Sheridan Bruins men's basketball team squared off against a celebrity team in the Double-Blue Challenge on April 4th, with proceeds benefitting the Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation.

"I love when a community comes together," said Clemons, star player and former Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts. "When it’s positive and fun, and we help somebody less fortunate, that's the best of who we are,"

"We're just so proud to host this event and to have a continued association with Mike," said Jim Flack, Sheridan's Athletic Director and Head Coach of men's basketball, whose team “lost” to Clemons’ celebrity team 112-110.

Clemons was joined by some of the best talent in the Canadian Football League for the game which was held at Sheridan’s Trafalgar Road Campus. On hand were professional football's all-time leading passer Damon Allen; Andre Durie and Jeff Johnson of the Argonauts; Tyler Scott of the Edmonton Eskimos; Sheldon Benoit, a former 10-year CFL veteran; Duane Butler, formerly of the Montreal Alouettes; Paul Duncan, a former Canadian Interuniversity Sport standout fullback and a coach; Orlando Bowen, former Peel all-star basketball player and linebacker for the Argonauts; and Clinton Wayne, who played at Ohio State before an illustrious CFL career. The Sheridan team featured Demetrius Woodard, a former Ontario all-star who captained the Bruins to the national final in 2006; Leroy Cassanova, the first-ever Sheridan All-Canadian, now an Assistant Coach; and three-time All-Canadian and current Head Coach of the Sheridan Lady Bruins, Shane Bascoe.

At halftime, Clemons shared his Foundation’s goal to build 131 schools in Africa, and introduced his nephew, Demetrius Woodard. While growing up in Florida, Woodard lost his mother to cancer when he was still young. He made his way to Oakville to live with Clemons and his family with hopes for a better life. Woodard went on to wear a Sheridan Bruins uniform and was named Male Athlete of the Year in 2006, prior to graduation.

Clemons thanked the college for its role, particularly in those early years. "We appreciate the support here at Sheridan, specifically from Coach Flack and others who did so much to help us through that time. To be here is just a beautiful thing,” said Clemons.

He also expressed his interest in promoting philanthropy to Sheridan’s student-athletes who will one day be leaders in their own communities.

The Double-Blue Challenge was an initiative of the Sheridan Human Resources Interscholastic Council, in co-operation with Sheridan Athletics and Recreation.